Open windows, direct sunlight NOT through glass.. Necessity?

[chirpy]

For those in warmer climates and outside aviaries I envy you! As you can provide them with more of outside environment as I could in Chicago where today is below 8 and -18c tomorrow isn't it nuts!

I have a question:
For birds that live in aviaries or warmer climates where windows are regularly opened and they can be by a window sill better for the birds?
I assumed that feeding them a plentiful diet makes up for things?

Just wondering and pondering early Sunday morning before my coffee.

[finchmix22]

I am sitting here and thinking about lots of different things regarding my finches. Regarding your pondering on lighting, my understanding is the use of UVA/UVB full spectrum lighting addresses the need for Vitamin D3, which birds get from sunlight. I still keep my window blinds open during the day, so they see the natural light cycle, but that could also be acheived using light timers, etc. The drawbacks to outdoor aviaries are predators and the change of weather, which can lead to illness and death by nature. So, each way of keeping finches has it's benefits and drawbacks. O.K., now I'm rambling on this chilly Sunday morning. LOL. It's 33 F but feels like 22 degrees here in Dallas.

[chirpy]

finchmix22 so like with almost anything there is a pro and cons. Outside aviaries must be easy to clean lol. I hate cage cleaning cause my daughter thinks she's missing out on. This fun rustling newspaper and using a small dust pan for the seed and poops!

So if we have a cage should we always have spectrum lighting?

[chirpy]

I might be wrong but does egg shell provide the vitamin they can't get from the sunlight?

[finchmix22]

Eggshell is a good source of Calcium, but they can only get Vitamin D3 from the suns UVA/UVB rays.

[finchmix22]

Although, I think I recall someone giving a Vitamin D3 supplement, but I'm not sure how well that works with birds.

[chirpy]

finchmix22 so if I don't get my birdies and right light they can pass away from lack of vitamins?

I'm scared!

[finchmix22]

They have the potential to get sick without the Vitamin D3. Although, I raised finches for two years before I bought UVA/UVB lights. I think because I took the cages outside weekly, they got enough Vitamin D3 and were fine. So, they don't have to have that light all day, everyday, just be exposed to the UVB rays regularly. This is just my experience, not an official expert's opinion, so maybe see what someone else says. I know there are several people here who have extensive experience and knowledge of the science of the lighting.

Are you seeing signs of illness or problems ?

[finchmix22]

Here is a link to the discussion of the necessity of Vitamin D3 in finches.
http://www.finchniche.com/features_vitamind.php

[Nerien]

Outside aviaries must be easy to clean lol. I hate cage cleaning cause my daughter thinks she's missing out on. This fun rustling newspaper and using a small dust pan for the seed and poops!

Get her a dustbuster or something similar and set her to cleaning up all around the cage. If it's low powered enough, you can have her suck the hulls & stuff right out of the tray before you remove the paper, or else have her get the leftovers after you move the paper. Keeps the little hands away from the poop, but involved. Also a good chance to teach her how important it is to wash hands a lot when cleaning up after animals. Scrubbing the bowls & waterers in the sink is another good way to get her involved, if you don't mind the water everywhere that is bound to happen.

[chirpy]

finchmix22
Actually....! I realized i have a reptile lamp I can put a UVB in there and use it can't I! They will probably love the extra light..!

@Nerien ah! Mary Poppins! Haha! You're right I should get her more involved. She blows the seed for me it gets everywhere. I tend to micro manage (such a horrible characteristic of mine!) so I need to chillax mom!

[finchmix22]

Nerien has a super idea. My nephew is 10 and autistic. We love to ask him to help with cleaning the finch cages and room because he does a great job of sweeping up the seeds and checking that EVERY cage has the proper water and food. He's very reliable and consistent due to some obsessive traits, but he does a great job.
Regarding the reptile lights, I use those when I can't find the avian bulbs. They seem to work the same.

[chirpy]

finchmix22 do those UVB ones give off heat do you know? Would it be bad to have ten resting ON the cage top?

That's so sweet of him to help! And especially if he's great at it too! Mine is still 2, 3 on the 30th so lol she tends to make a mess with the seeds but I guess if I want her to help when she's older may as well start now! She already knows my routine after coffee its bird time. Chopped veggies = birdie food. There's a part of me that is scared of her touching poop though ... I know with hand washing its ok but I'm still a little nervous about that!

[finchmix22]

My nephew uses those latex type gloves for cleaning when he helps with the birds and then washed his hands afterwards. He thinks the gloves make him like a vet. LOL

[debbie276]

Most feel that the full spectrum lights are not a good source of vitaminD. The birds do benifit from the full spectrum lights visually though. Here's an article about PROPER LIGHTING TO SUPPORT AVIAN VISION:
http://confluence.mickaboo.org/download ... ummary.pdf

Here's a link to nutrients and their sources:
http://www.finchinfo.com/diet/nutrients_and_sources.php
egg, especially the yolk will supply them with vitaminD for calcium absorption.